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Iran Visa for South Africa Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

South African citizens can generally obtain a Visa on Arrival at major Iranian airports, though pre-approval via Iran's official e-visa portal is strongly recommended, with the visa typically covering 30 days.

Guide last updated October 22, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid at least 6 months
  • Passport photo
  • Confirmed accommodation, often a prepaid hotel booking or local sponsor
  • Return or onward ticket
  • Travel insurance valid for Iran, often checked on arrival
  • No advance biometrics, though a photo and sometimes fingerprints are taken on arrival

Visa types

  • Tourist visa on arrival: typically 30 days, single entry
  • Longer or multiple-entry tourist/business visas: require advance application through an Iranian embassy or authorized agency with an invitation or reference number

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Imam Khomeini International Airport (Tehran) and a few other designated airports
  • Strongly recommended to first obtain an authorization code via Iran's official e-visa portal before travel to speed up the airport process
  • Present the authorization printout, passport, insurance proof and photo at the visa-on-arrival counter
  • Pay the fee in euros (cards issued outside Iran generally do not work due to sanctions)
  • Processing at the airport usually takes 30-90 minutes

Fees & processing time

  • Visa on arrival fee approximately EUR 75-85, cash only, euros preferred
  • The online authorization request is typically free or low-cost and takes about 3-5 business days to approve before travel
  • No express lane generally available beyond the standard visa-on-arrival process

Tips for South African travelers

  • Apply for the e-visa authorization code at least a week before departure, since arriving without one can mean refusal depending on current policy
  • Carry sufficient euro cash, as foreign-issued cards do not work in Iran
  • Check South African government travel advisories given the security and sanctions environment, and confirm current requirements with the Iranian embassy in Pretoria shortly before travel, as rules can change with little notice

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.